Established as a charity in 2008, Burrenbeo Trust is a non-profit organisation dedicated to its mission of connecting all of us to our places and our role in caring for them. Based in the flagship heritage landscape of the Burren, Burrenbeo Trust works to raise awareness of the significance of the Burren and to empower and encourage local communities to act as stewards of its priceless heritage. Building on lessons learned over the past two decades, Burrenbeo also advocates for ‘place-based learning’ across Ireland as a means through which communities can learn more about their place and their role in actively caring for it.
Where?
HQ in the Burren but working nationwide.
Who started this action?
Came from a group founded in 2001 by Brendan Dunford and Ann O’Connor. In 2008, this became BurrenBeo Trust — a membership‐based charity — to grow its work.
Some quick facts about the project
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Burrenbeo Trust works with a broad range of stakeholders: farmers, landowners, schools, volunteers, educators and communities.Burrenbeo Trust is a membership organisation and is funded through a variety of sources including memberships (both individuals and businesses), private and public programme sponsorship and grant‑funders.The Trust runs a wide range of programmes a year. These include walks, talks, festivals, schools’ programmes and conservation volunteering in the Burren alongside the nationwide Heritage Keepers (for schools & communities), The Hare’s Corner (for farmers & landowners) and Farming for Nature ( for farmers).
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Burrenbeo Trust’s work includes place-based learning programmes (Heritage Keepers, the Calf and Cuckoo and place‑based learning for teachers); organising heritage walks, talks and festivals to engage wider public; a conservation volunteering group doing on‑ground work (habitat restoration, scrub control, species monitoring); supports for biodiversity action (Burren Pine Project, The Hare’s Corner biodiversity project etc) and advocacy (raising awareness on heritage and biodiversity, helping farmers be recognised for nature‑positive farming (Farming for Nature)).
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Burrenbeo Trust are partners in ReFarm (research and investment in nature‑positive farming) to scale up actions on farms and link private funding with nature outcomes.
Highlights Click toggle ⊕ to see these
- “Education programmes (Áitbheo primary & secondary, Wild Child, place‑based learning for teachers).
- Organising heritage walks, talks, festivals to engage wider public.
- Conservation volunteer group doing on the ground work: habitat restoration, scrub control, species monitoring.
- Specific habitat projects: Burren Pine Project; The Hare’s Corner biodiversity project etc.
- Advocacy: campaigning and raising awareness, community charters, helping farmers be recognised for nature‑positive farming (Farming for Nature).
- Partners in ReFarm (research and investment in nature‑positive farming) to scale up actions on farms and link private funding with nature outcomes.
- Dealing with threats to biodiversity: habitat loss, abandonment of traditional farming, scrub encroachment etc.
- Stopping the loss of traditional knowledge and disconnection with heritage and culture.
- Over 1841 primary pupils supported through Áitbheo (primary) in 36 schools; over 370 secondary students through Áitbheo Secondary.
- It has more than 300 very involved volunteers
- Started habitat restoration and biodiversity initiatives: The Hare’s Corner, Pine reforestation, etc. Building public awareness: monthly walks/talks, field guides, festivals.
Why this matters
The Burrenbeo Trust takes a community-led approach to conservation and education. Many of its programmes actively involve local people and groups—such as farmers, schools, and volunteers—in caring for the Burren or their own local places. The Trust promotes place-based learning, using our local places as a living classroom. This approach weaves together heritage, ecology, and culture to create meaningful learning experiences. Through practical, measurable projects that enhance biodiversity, Burrenbeo not only delivers real environmental benefits but also raises awareness and inspires positive changes in how people engage with their landscape.
SDG Alignment & Keywords Click toggle ⊕ to see these
- SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being,
- SDG 4: Quality Education.
- SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities,
- SDG 13: Climate Action,
- SDG 15: Life on Land,
- SDG 17: Partnerships for the goals
Keywords: Place based learning, outdoor classroom, community-led conservation, biodiversity, habitat restoration, heritage, Co Clare, Co Galway
Find Out More about the project
Website: The Burrenbeo Trust
Email: info@burrenbeo.com
The Burrenbeo Trust gets us to look at what is around us that maybe we take for granted – sometimes these things can help us change our world. Carol and the people in Mulranny Mayo did something very similar. Listen to our podcast to hear the full story and learn how you could do the same
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